Phlox plant named ‘Appofalp’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phlox  plant named ‘Appofalp’, characterized by its broadly upright and relatively compact plant habit; freely flowering habit, numerous large soft purple-colored flowers with light purple-colored centers; long flowering period; and good garden performance.

Botanical designation: Phlox paniculata.

Cultivar denomination: ‘APPOFALP’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATION

Title: Phlox Plant Named ‘APPOFAMCER’

Applicant: Jelle van den Haak

Filed: Concurrently with this application as Ser. No. 14/999,216

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant, botanically known as Phlox paniculata and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Appofalp’.

The new Phlox plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Andijk and Hazerswoude-Dorp, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to create new compact and vigorous Phlox plants with numerous large flowers.

The new Phlox plant originated from a cross-pollination in August, 2009 in Andijk, The Netherlands, of a proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 047-08-010, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent, with a proprietary selection of Phlox paniculata identified as code number 047-08-008, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phlox plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Hazerswoude-Dorp, The Netherlands in August, 2010.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phlox plant by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Andijk, The Netherlands since 2014 has shown that the unique features of this new Phlox plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phlox have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Appofalp’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Appofalp’ as a new and distinct Phlox plant:

-   -   1. Upright and relatively compact plant habit.     -   2. Freely flowering habit, numerous large soft purple-colored         flowers with light purple-colored centers.     -   3. Long flowering period.     -   4. Good garden performance.

Plants of the new Phlox and the female parent selection differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phlox are more vigorous than plants of the         female parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Phlox and the female parent selection         differ in flower color as plants of the female parent selection         have red-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ primarily in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phlox are more vigorous than plants of the         male parent selection.     -   2. Plants of the new Phlox and the male parent selection differ         in flower color as plants of the male parent selection have dark         purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Phlox can be compared to plants of Phlox paniculata ‘Appofamcer’, disclosed in a U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently. Plants of the new Phlox differ primarily from plants of ‘Appofamcer’ in flower color as plants of ‘Appofamcer’ have red purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Phlox can also be compared to plants of Phlox paniculata ‘Anastasia’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phlox and ‘Anastasia’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Phlox are more compact than plants of         ‘Anastasia’.     -   2. Plants of the new Phlox and ‘Anastasia’ differ in         inflorescence shape as plants of ‘Anastasia’ have cone-shaped         inflorescences.     -   3. Plants of the new Phlox and ‘Anastasia’ differ in flower         color as plants of ‘Anastasia’ have pink-colored flowers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phlox plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phlox plant.

The photograph on the first sheet is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Appofalp’ grown in a container.

The photographs on the second sheet are close-up views of typical inflorescences (upper photograph) and typical leaves (lower photograph) of ‘Appofalp’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the summer in 15-cm containers in an outdoor nursery in Mijdrecht, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phlox production. During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 25° C. and night temperatures ranged from 4° C. to 15° C. Plants were pinched five weeks after planting and were 19 weeks old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata ‘Appofalp’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox             paniculata identified as code number 047-08-010, not             patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Phlox             paniculata identified as code number 047-08-008, not             patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 12 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 16 days at             temperatures about 20° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 36 days             at temperatures about 18° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 42 days             at temperatures about 18° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fleshy; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and             formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of             roots.         -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous perennial; upright and             relatively compact plant habit; overall shape, obovate to             narrowly obovate; low vigor to moderately vigorous in growth             habit.         -   Plant height.—About 41.4 cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 38.3 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Quantity: About eight primary lateral             branches per plant. Length: About 23.9 cm. Diameter: About             4.5 mm. Internode length: About 2.5 cm. Strength: Strong.             Aspect: Upright to about 40° from vertical. Texture and             luster: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy. Color: Close to             144A to 144B. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.         -   Length.—About 10.3 cm.         -   Width.—About 3.9 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Long apiculate to acute.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire; very finely serrate, inconspicious.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Glabrous;             slightly rugose; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 143B to             143C. Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 143C. Fully             expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N137B; venation,             close to N144A. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close             to 147B; venation, close to 145A.         -   Petioles.—Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 3 mm by 3 mm.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color,             upper surface: Close to 145A; towards the margins, slightly             tinged with close to 200A. Color, lower surface: Close to             145A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and flowering habit.—Single rotate and             salverform flowers arranged in compound terminal panicles;             flowers face upright to outwardly; panicles roughly             hemispherical in shape; freely flowering habit with about             110 flowers developing per inflorescence and about 900             flowers developing per plant during the flowering season.         -   Fragrance.—Moderately fragrant; sweet, pleasant.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about nine             months after planting; long flowering period, plants flower             continuously from July through September in The Netherlands.         -   Flower longevity.—Flowers last about ten days on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm.             Shape: Oblanceolate. Color: Close to N78C to N78D;             developing tube, close to 147D; developing calyx, close to             N186C, towards the margins, close to N186D and towards the             base, close to 144C.         -   Inflorescence height.—About 14.8 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 12.3 cm.         -   Flower diameter.—About 2.8 cm.         -   Flower depth.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single             whorl; petals fused at the base into a narrow tube; free             parts slightly to moderately imbricate. Length: Overall,             about 3 cm; lower fused portion, about 1.8 cm. Lobe width:             About 1.6 cm. Shape: Free part, spatulate. Apex: Slightly             broad retuse. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper             surface: Smooth, glabrous; moderately velvety; matte.             Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous;             slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper surface:             Slightly more red than N78B; towards the throat, close to             76D; at the throat, close to N74A to N74B; throat, close to             79C. When opening, lower surface: Close to N80C to N80D;             tube, close to 79C to 76D. Fully opened, upper surface:             Close to N74D and N78C; towards the throat, close to 76C; at             the throat, close to N74B; throat, close to 79C; color does             not change with development. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to N80D; tube, close to 79D.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Typically five in a single             whorl, fused towards the base; calyx, campanulate. Length:             About 1 cm. Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex:             Narrowly apiculate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,             upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; slightly glossy.             Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close             to 146C; towards the margins and apex, close to N186C. When             opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to N186C;             towards the margins, close to N186D; towards the base, close             to 144C.         -   Peduncles.—Length, primary peduncles: About 11.4 cm.             Diameter, primary peduncles: About 3 mm. Length, secondary             peduncles: About 4.3 cm. Diameter, secondary peduncles:             About 1.5 mm. Aspect, primary peduncles: Erect. Aspect,             secondary peduncles: About 47.5° from vertical. Strength:             Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 146D             heavily tinged with close to 200B.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Angle:             About 40° from the peduncle axis. Strength: Strong. Texture:             Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 146D heavily tinged with             close to 200B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: Typically             five; filaments fused with petals. Filament length: About             0.75 mm. Filament color: Close to 186D. Anther length: About             2 mm. Anther shape: Oblong; basifixed. Anther color: Close             to 160B. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 11D.             Pistils: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About             1.6 cm. Stigma shape: Cleft, three-parted. Stigma color:             Close to 150C. Style length: About 1.5 cm. Style color:             Close to N77D; towards the base, close to 145B. Ovary color:             Close to 143B.         -   Seeds and fruits.—Seed and fruit development have not been             observed on plants of the new Phlox. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Phlox have been observed to     have good garden performance and tolerate rain, wind, high     temperatures about 35° C. and to be winter hardy to USDA Hardiness     Zone 6. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Phlox have been not     been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to Phlox     plants. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phlox plant named ‘Appofalp’ as illustrated and described. 